Do You Color Match Your Mountain Bike and Gear? [Survey]

Just like no two mountain bike trails are exactly the same, no two riders are the same either.

By Jeff Barber
July 5, 2020

5 comments

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Women Mountain Biking Powderhorn Yeti — Race ready women at Powderhorn, photo by Scott Cotter

Just like no two mountain bike trails are exactly the same, no two riders are the same either. For some, looking good means riding good and is a way to express personality, while others don’t put a lot of thought into the way their gear looks. Truly there is no right or wrong answer!

Read this humorous take on mountain bike gear that matches, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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5 Comments

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Oldandrolling South Carolina // 2018
Jul 9, 2020

I have several sets of shorts and shirts of various colors and patterns for riding. I put on what is clean and try to stay with light colors in summer and dark colors in winter, most for the solar heat effect. Anyway, my priority is where I am riding and how much risk I want to take that day. Really, not much else matters.

0 reply

m.krupp Kentucky // 2018
Jul 16, 2020

I personally feel like a tool if I am trying to match everything. That is not a judgment on others but myself. Not my style but I am cool with others matching. I do have mad respect for anyone who purposefully mismatches. You will get a chuckle or smile out of me for the effort and irony. I like my clothes to match and my bike to have some coordination on the rig itself. What works is usually the top priority of what I am going for.

Phonebem Utah // 2017
Jul 10, 2020

I place a higher priority on visibility to others than matching. I figure if I’m depending on downhill riders to yield when I’m climbing, the least I can do is be easier for them to see.

SteveMcA86 Northern Ireland // 2021
Jan 27, 2021

Nope.. My 5 10s are green, normally a white shirt or red and grey, yellow shorts, whatever socks are top of the pile, gloves anything from black to blue&pink, Met Parachute Helmet in red and black.. Colour co-ordination be Damned on the bike, if I'm roading it or night biking I'll wear a hi vis jacket aimed for roadies but the mtb version was near £200 more.. I'm not made of money..

breathinghard Montana // 2018
Jul 10, 2020

This is one area where our road cycling compatriots really put us to shame. A short look at cycling "apparel" on an outfitter website revealed that for a mere $194.95 the fashionable road cyclist can get a short-sleeve giordana jersey in a choice of 4 colors. For a lesser price the road cyclist can give free advertising to a number of entities by wearing form-fitting color coordinated kit. Have you never read John T Malloy's advice on dressing for success? One who rides well should dress well. We should not yield to the roadies on this!

Since I usually descend trails with all the grace of a drunken sailor on a ship in a storm I usually wear clothes that would be rejected by Goodwill, to avoid being laughed at.

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